Program Overview

Introduction to the Criminal Justice Internship Program

The Criminal Justice Internship Program is a vital component of the educational experience for criminal justice majors. It provides students with the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom to practical experiences in a criminal justice agency.

Program Overview

The program consists of two courses: CRJU 4935 (Field Placement I), a 6-credit hour course, and CRJU 4940 (Field Placement II), an optional 3-credit hour comparative course. CRJU 4935 is a prerequisite for CRJU 4940, and the internship host site for CRJU 4940 must be different from that used for CRJU 4935.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the internship program, students must:

• Be declared criminal justice majors
• Have a 2.00 GPA (of total hours earned) at the end of the semester immediately prior to commencing the internship course
• Complete an online internship application by the deadline for the semester they plan to intern

Internship Application Process

The internship application process involves the following steps:

• Students submit their application, which is reviewed by the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies' Office of Academic Assistance
• If the student meets all requirements, the application is forwarded to the Internship Coordinator for final review
• Students must attend a mandatory General Orientation Meeting
• Students are responsible for finding an approved placement and securing a position with a criminal justice agency

Participating Agencies

There are over 500 agencies that participate in the internship program, including federal, state, county, municipal, and private sector organizations. These agencies deal with various aspects of criminal justice, such as police, courts, law, corrections, juvenile justice, mental health, immigration, private security, loss prevention, and corporate cybersecurity.

Internship Policies and Procedures

Students are responsible for reading and understanding the policies and procedures of the internship program, which are contained in the Undergraduate Internship Handbook. The handbook outlines the requirements and expectations for the internship, including the number of hours to be completed, the weekly activity log, and the evaluation process.

Evaluation and Assessment

At the conclusion of the internship, students are required to complete a Student Evaluation of Internship Experience, which assesses their opinion of whether they gained valuable practical experience, knowledge, and/or skills as a result of the internship experience. Agencies are also requested to complete an Agency Evaluation of Criminal Justice Intern survey, which assesses students on several measures, including work readiness, academic and professional growth and development, and level of professionalism.

Degree Completion Requirements

To complete the degree, students must:

• Complete the required courses in Area F (Criminal Justice Core) and Area G (Foundations of Analysis)
• Maintain a 2.00 GPA (of total hours earned) at the end of the semester immediately prior to commencing the internship course
• Successfully complete CRJU 4935 and CRJU 4940 (if taken)

Courses in Area F (Criminal Justice Core)

• CRJU 1100 Introduction to Criminal Justice
• CRJU 2110 Policing in America
• CRJU 2310 Corrections
• CRJU 2700 American Criminal Courts

Courses in Area G (Foundations of Analysis)

• CRJU 3020 Research Methods in Criminal Justice
• CRJU 3060 Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice
• CRJU 3410 Criminological Theory
• CRJU 3610 Statistical Analysis in Criminal Justice

Conclusion

The Criminal Justice Internship Program provides students with a unique opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to practical experiences in a criminal justice agency. By completing the program, students can gain valuable experience, knowledge, and skills that will prepare them for a career in the field of criminal justice.